North West Archives - Page 124 of 173

Dave Gorman: Powerpoint to the People – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

1Oct

By Anne PritchardNo Comments

North West

Dave Gorman: Powerpoint to the People – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Dave Gorman entered the stage greeted with a round of tumultuous applause from the audience; it was a full house of mainly 35-year-olds upwards eagerly awaiting Gorman’s characteristic brand of comedy and enlightening statistical information. He was dressed in his usual attire of checked shirt denim jeans and trainers, his trademark laptop, stage right. Gorman is known for his popular acclaimed TV series, ‘Modern Life Is Goodish’ where he has proved himself to be an exemplar, brutally revealing life’s incongruities in comedic fashion. In a show lasting just over two hours he delivers an enormous amount of interesting information in his characteristic manner; he is both fast-talking and slick, often laughing uncontrollably at his own jokes. From the offset he proceeds to ask everyone ...

The Scousetrap – Liverpool’s Royal Court

29Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Scousetrap – Liverpool’s Royal Court

It’s press night for the Royal Court once again as they pack the auditorium and welcome to the stage their latest slice of comedy “Scousetrap”. This play was written by Kevin Fearon during the pandemic and has been adapted by the director Cal McCrystal (and most likely the cast!) to add their own stamp and humour. The show is set in Liverpool (of course) in 1940 when the war is in full flow. The people of Liverpool fear that the Germans are turning their attention to their beloved port and docklands. The only saving grace is that Adolf Hitler used to live in the city, but is this enough to stop the bombing? The storyline follows the city’s greatest private detective, Miss Inga Marble (Eithne Browne) in her quest to discover any German spies and indeed she has her work cut out for her...

Twopence To Cross The Mersey – Theatre Royal, St Helens

28Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Twopence To Cross The Mersey – Theatre Royal, St Helens

A novel by Helen Forrester that sold over a million books had been adapted for stage and is now on tour. This particular adaptation was created by Rob Fennah, produced by Bill Elms and directed by Gareth Tudor Price. The synopsis of the story is that it is set in 1931, Helen’s family we’re made bankrupt and decided to start a new life in Liverpool, this was because Liverpool was where Helen’s father John Forrester (Mark Moraghan) made his fortune originally. In the 1930s there was the Great Depression so many people were out of work and those who had work were unlikely to give it up. Helen (Jenny Murphy) was in her teens and wanted to go to school but as her parents needed to find work she had to look after the baby whilst her brothers went to school. What was nice in this show was that ev...

Saturday Night Fever – Palace Theatre Manchester

28Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

Saturday Night Fever – Palace Theatre Manchester

Producer and Director Bill Kenwright has taken the iconic 1977 film Saturday Night Fever that originally starred John Travolta and made a successful hit jukebox musical that has toured since 1999. 23 years later and the musical is still a crowd pleaser, the Manchester audience was a prime example of the pleasure this show brings with its feel-good factor pushed to its limit and pure disco tunes of the 70’s by a well-deserved standing ovation at the end. The songs mostly consist of songs that were featured in the film's soundtrack, which in turn were mostly written and performed by the Bee Gees. Throughout the performance AJ Jenks, Drew Ferry, and Oliver Thomson, were dressed as the Bee Gees and stood on a platform above the stage whilst belting out the iconic tunes we all love from this...

28Sep

By Amanda HodgsonNo Comments

North West

Road – Oldham Coliseum

A trip to the Oldham Coliseum usually provides a gem of a show, and ‘Road’ did not disappoint. The play explores an array of characters, some loud, some rough, some lonely, some misunderstood, and some tormented, who live on a Lancashire street in 1987. An evening of real-life moments told through monologue and dialogue; we hear about Northern people with Northern problems. Although set in 1987 this play explores issues which clearly resonates with some northern towns today, more than 30 years later. The set captured the essence of Lancashire life, transforming between exterior windows, living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. The use of running water, and everyday sound effects such as barking dogs and fireworks, enhanced the real-life atmosphere, providing a sense of familiarity. The ...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

28Sep

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare North Playhouse

One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies was chosen to formally launch the main theatre at Shakespeare North Playhouse although more tragically it was to crash into more than one self-inflicted iceberg on the night. As we meet the Duke (David Nellist), and his newly conquered betrothed, Hippolyta (Yazmin Kayani), Egeus (Tia-Bella Easton) interrupts proceedings to complain about her daughter, Hermia (Rebecca Hesketh Smith), who loves Lysander (William Grint) despite her father’s preferred match of Demetrius (Tyler Dobbs), who in turn is unwelcomingly pursued by Helena (Kate James). Hermia’s choice is clear: follow your father’s wishes or face either death or life as a nun. She steals away with Lysander in the night through the forest, rapidly pursued by Demetrius and Helena. Also pr...

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical – The Lowry

28Sep

By Max EdenNo Comments

North West

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical – The Lowry

It’s moving, touching and filled with stirring harmonious songs; Fisherman Friends - The Musical is not your usual ‘film to stage’ production! Directed by James Grieve; the Fisherman Friends Musical follows the same plot as the popular 2019 movie - a true story about a group of Cornish fishermen who are discovered by Danny (played by Jason Langley) a former A & R man for Island records which leads to the group recording a demo and eventually onto performing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. This musical tugs at your heartstrings far greater than the movie and there are moments when emotions run high and moments when it becomes quite reflective and somber. It runs at quite a fast pace and although it’s 140 minutes in length; it keeps your attention throughout and the appearance...

The Day After The Fair – Cheadle Players

27Sep

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

North West

The Day After The Fair – Cheadle Players

Community theatre can sometimes be a mixed bag, and then you find a company that you know you can trust to produce work of real quality. The Cheadle Players Dramatic Society is one such company. They have an exceptional work ethic, a great backstage team and a true love of theatre. This opening offering in their 2022/23 season is a play adapted from a novel by Thomas Hardy. Written by Frank Harvey, The Day After the Fair is a romantic drama set in the 1890s. Rising to the challenge of the language, movement and culture of that time period is a principal cast of six; one of whom – Rob Derry – only stepped in at the last minute to play Charles Bradford after the original company member sadly contracted Covid. With only four days rehearsal, he was off-book and on stage. Well done, Rob! ...

27Sep

By Blathine MaguireNo Comments

North West

Boyzlife – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

What a pleasure it is to step inside the beautiful philharmonic hall, Liverpool, steeped in history and class, this venue is totally unique and provides great variety when it comes to music and performances. This was exactly the case tonight when the striking stage which usually hosts the philharmonic orchestra was swapped for a huge pop throwback known as ‘Boyzlife’. ‘Boyzlife’ is made up of some familiar faces, Keith Duffy who rose to fame in Boyzone and Westlife’s original Brian McFadden. These two singers have joined forces in the last number of years to create their own music and of course, to relive the classics. Noting that they have 21 number one hits between them, this duo is no stranger to the stage and the world of pop music. Tonight marks the start of their ‘Old School Tour’...

Romeo and Juliet – Shakespeare North Playhouse

26Sep

By Jan MellorNo Comments

North West

Romeo and Juliet – Shakespeare North Playhouse

This was my second visit in a week to this newly built theatre in the heart of Prescot near Liverpool - so strong was the lure of having a theatre showing Shakespeare’s works in the Northwest of England. Having this auspicious opportunity to visit such a unique and inspiring building and to have these amazing plays on offer, at only a 20- minute drive away, was for me, as a theatre lover - a dream come true. The building of the Shakespeare North Playhouse was two major projects – firstly to build a theatre on the original site, where Richard Harrington constructed a theatre (1597-1603) to show the bards plays and secondly to build an outdoor arena in memory of Liverpool’s iconic comic genius Ken Dodd. Ken Dodd’s Memorial Gardens is set out with traditional stone steps that a...